A year-long discipleship movement · Pine Valley, California
One year.
Changed forever.
Following Jesus changes everything. Cross to Life is a year of becoming — identity, community, calling, and leadership — lived out at 4,200 feet in the Cleveland National Forest.
$12,000+
Paid to you — not the other way around
20+
Full-time mentors
12
Months, one mountain
$100/mo
The only cost — a training fee
The Movement Statement
We're not a program you finish. We're a movement you join — young adults choosing transformation over drifting, one year at a time.
What we promise
Helping young adults follow Jesus, discover their calling, and live lives of lasting impact.
What we believe
Following Jesus changes everything.
Why Cross to Life exists
This isn't a program you attend. It's a becoming you can't undo.
Most gap years teach you what to do next. This one changes who you are. Over twelve months in the mountains east of San Diego, 20+ full-time mentors walk alongside you as you trade who you were for who you were made to be — one season, one relationship, one hard morning at a time.
Scripture calls this transformation by a dozen names. We just call it the year that doesn't let go.
- Dead → Alive
- Lost → Found
- Broken → Whole
- Follower → Disciple
- Disciple → Leader
- Cross → Life
Hear from those who lived it
Stories, not statistics.
These are early voices from Cross to Life — real words, placeholder faces until we can put names and photos to every story.
I came to Pine Valley unsure of who I was. I left knowing whose I am. Cross to Life didn't just change my year — it changed my life.
The mentors here genuinely care. They challenged me, walked with me through hard conversations, and pointed me to Christ every step of the way.
I've sent three students to Cross to Life. Every one of them came back more grounded in their faith and ready to lead.
The Journey
Five stages. One year.
No two years at Cross to Life look identical, but every one follows the same route.
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Identity
You start by remembering whose you are.
Daily Scripture and personal devotions, group Bible study, and one-on-one mentorship with staff who actually know your name.
Identity
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Community
You're never doing this alone.
Shared housing on-site, weekly community nights and outings, and a local church cohort every Sunday — friendships that outlast the year.
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Growth
You're paid to grow, not charged for it.
Real work rotating through hospitality, food service, facilities, grounds, and event support — $12,000+ a year, plus housing, meals, and transportation. Most gap years cost you. This one pays you.
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Mission
Faith becomes something you do, not just believe.
Serving guests and churches at the conference center, group outings, seasonal adventures, and a 6–8 day group cruise along the way.
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Leadership
You leave ready to lead wherever God sends you.
Leadership and team management, conflict resolution, event coordination — training built to outlast the twelve months you spend here.
Life after Cross to Life
The movement doesn't end. It begins.
Graduates leave with a certificate of completion, a year of practical work experience, and mentorship relationships that keep going long after the mountain. Some go to college. Some go to ministry. All of them go changed.
CROSS LIFE
Begin Your JourneyWherever you're standing in this
Three questions. Three answers.
Whether you're the one going, the one sending, or the one asking questions on their behalf — start here.
For Parents
What will your child become?
Not just where they'll live for a year — who they'll be at the end of it.
Read moreFor Students
You don't have to have this figured out yet.
One year to grow, work, and find out who you're becoming — without pretending you already know.
Read moreFor Churches
Send one of yours for a year that lasts a lifetime.
A discipleship partner for the students you've already invested years into.
Read moreA few real questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cross to Life paid, or does it cost money?
It's paid. Participants earn $12,000+ per year, plus free housing, daily meals, and transportation, in exchange for a $100/month training fee — the only cost of the program.
Do I need a college degree to apply?
No. Cross to Life welcomes participants at all stages — whether you haven't started college, are taking a break, or have already graduated.
Is Cross to Life accredited, or does it offer college credit?
No. It's a discipleship and gap year program, not a degree program. Graduates receive a certificate of completion, not college credit.
How do I apply?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Start on the Apply page, and you'll hear back from our team within two weeks.
Read the full FAQ for more on cost, eligibility, and applying.
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis
Ready to set this year apart?
Applications for the 2026–2027 cohort are reviewed on a rolling basis. Don't wait.
Begin Your Journey